While there are some, well, actually many, that don’t care for the way the MLB All-Star game is set up with each team having a representative, if Pittsburgh Pirates fans are honest with themselves, that setup was the only way their favorite team would have a play in the game. If it wasn’t for that clause, would the Mike Williams and Evan Meek’s of the world actually make the All-Star game?

With the success the team has had the last few years, that clause isn’t needed anymore. The Pirates actually have All-Star caliber players on their roster. The question is, how many and which ones will represent the Bucs in the mid summer classic?

Andrew McCutchen – While McCutchen hasn’t posted the numbers he did last year, he’s the face of the franchise and is still putting up solid numbers.

Jason Grilli – The National League saves leader has guaranteed himself a spot at the game for the first time in his career.

Pedro Alvarez – I wrote a column for The Kittanning Paper two weeks ago to show my vote of confidence for the home run and RBI leader among NL third basemen.

Jeff Locke – Third lowest ERA in the National League. He’s not an All-Star player, but his general numbers say different.

Mark Melancon – The Robin to Grilli’s Batman in the Pirates bullpen.

The Pirates should have five players in the All-Star game and you could make a case for a guy like Starling Marte as well. Oh how the times have changed.